01/14/2010

Book Review: Seth Godin's Linchpin

This book is about you and your job and is worth reading!

I received an early copy of Linchpin because of a brilliant offer made on Seth Godin's blog. I made a $30 contribution to the Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty and I received the book. Although not obligated, this review is my gift back to Seth's endeavor. (Giving a gift, especially an individual's art are all discussed in his book).

I already was a fan of Seth and his approach to business and to communications. His blog posts are short and to the point and each one of them stimulates thought. Written in this style, Linchpin crisply presents new and unique thinking - - and also ties back to his other books, especially Tribes. In many blogs today, I see too many long "cookbook" style posts on how people should approach aspects of their work or their lives. I'm sorry, we are all individuals and need to have our thinking stretched by very smart people, but not told exactly what to do. This book does it the right way.

Linchpin's premise is that most companies want to take the Henry Ford assembly line mentality to every job and that our education system grooms us to become part of that machine. The desire is for all labor to be commoditized so that each worker becomes replaceable. Scary! The opposite of being replaceable is to become a linchpin. The books defines the current situation, helps you think about change, and has a positive vision for you and your future. It is applicable for all types of jobs in all types of environments and uses some great examples.

The book also makes very insightful points through the use of Venn Diagrams. Because of that I now have a vision of intersecting circles labeled work, life, job, and career. And the sweet spot in the middle is labeled "a complete success".